Who are these Critters you speak of?

Friday, April 20, 2012

After the park and a non-existent nap Rian, the Critters and I headed over to Doak to watch the spring game. We felt like high rollas as our friends were able to get box seats for us. We met up with Katie, Campbell, and Colin at the tailgating lot. We found out later that we could have parked a lot closer, oh well. We met up with Mike and headed to the box. The food was included in the ticket price which was awesome, even more awesome, the kids were free.

Not much to say about the spring game, its a glorified scrimmage, but the atmosphere up in the box was great. The Critters did great too. All of them paid attention to at least part of the game. They even made it to the end of the game, around 7:30pm. Right before we left Haddie decided that she wanted to go explore a little. She headed over to the 'Old School' box (think Potbellies for all of you FSU alumni), chocked full of college kids dancing and proceeded to head right to the dance floor and shook her stuff. I really think I am going to have to keep a close eye on that one. The college kids loved her, she definitely stole the show as only Haddie can. It was a great first football game experience for the Critters (don't get used to the box, the next time we go we will be out with the masses). I do think that we will wait one more season before we take they to a game in the stands.

Here are some shots from the game:

Rian, Bro-man, and beer.

Haddie.

The girls.

Haddie scrutinizing the red zone performance.

This box was literally right on the 50 yard line.

Game action.

On the way back to the car. This is the best shot we could get at the Sod Cemetery. (L to R: Haddie, Campbell, Colin (behind the balloon), CarCar, and Brother)

The Critters and I headed over to the Southwood park last Saturday to run out some energy. Rian had a meeting most of Saturday and the kids and I needed to get out of the house. We packed up, headed to Starbucks (for me of course), and were off. Southwood seems to be the only outside place that I can effectively manage the Critters by myself. The park is set back far enough from a road or parking lot that the Critters can run free and I won't have a panic attack.

What was going to be a half-hour visit turned into an hour and a half. We were all over the place, the playground, the paths, the bridge, the pond, the huge running field. Wouldn't you know it even after all of that exercise they didn't take a nap before the FSU Spring football game. We had a great time and much to Rian's chagrin (she didn't learn about it until after the fact) the Critters ran around barefoot most of the time. I kind of shocked myself that I was okay with them and no shoes, for as much as I hate wearing shoes, I am usually a control freak about it with them.

Here are some shots from our morning:

'The Kitty'

These two seem to pair up more times than not.

Carson loves to ride this horse.

Rian says this looks like it was taken in the eighties. How very Farrah of Haddie.

Brother wasn't waiting on anyone. He was well on his way to the bridge.

The bridge. They needed to check out the water level. It was very low if you care.

And their off.........

Hadley guarding the bags, from who I'm not sure.

CarCar toes in motion.

Bro' toes in the grass. This is a big deal.

Gathering up the things.

Hadley looking for the alligator.

Trying to have her brother spot it. (don't worry I don't think there was one there.)

Tuesday, April 10, 2012

We headed down to Orlando on Thursday to celebrate Easter and Rian's birthday. Friday and Saturday were pretty low key, except for the sunburn that everyone, even the Critters got on Saturday at the beach.

Everyone headed to church for breakfast before the 9:30 service. I must say it is rather nice being able to fully pay attention in church and not worry about one of the Critters climbing under a chair or up a window. After the service the real fun began, picture time. I am sure you all know how cooperative three 2 1/2 year olds are with pictures. So after some unsuccessful tries we let them shed their shoes and run around a little bit in hopes of wearing them down. It kinda worked. I got some good candid pictures and a few okay family shots.

After church and a nap we headed over to Grandma Kate's for Easter dinner and an Easter egg hunt. The Critters (and adults) had a great time finding eggs. Dinner was great and we even had some red velvet cake for Rian's birthday.

Here are some shots from Easter:

Haddie stopping to smell the flowers.

CarCar checking out the fragrance.

Brother headed over to see what all the fuss was about.

Brother checking out the scenery.

Haddie flashing a grin.

CarCar not flashing a grin.

The Critters and Grandmas.

The Fam.

Shoeless Haddie running out some energy.

CarCar and her Hello Kitty marshmallow lollipop.

All Brother wanted to do was bite the ears off a chocolate bunny. I hope I don't have to be worried.

Thursday, April 5, 2012

Wednesday, April 4, 2012

So Brother, finally got his day after waiting patiently through the princess luncheon. We loaded the car up and headed down to lovely Parrish, Florida (South of Tampa, I had no clue where it was either) to go see Thomas the Train. Brother is obsessed with trains, especially Thomas. We had heard good things about these tour stops, mostly from the stops in Camille, Georgia, and Mount Dora, Florida (near Orlando). Well, lets just say that Parrish, Florida had a little different vibe and clientele than what we were expecting from the stories of the other stops. Don't get me wrong we had a good time and Brother and CarCar were in heaven with the trains, but there could have been some improvements made to the venue. First of all the organizers could have chooses a location that had grass and was not just a dirt field. As you can imagine a dirt field and lots of children don't mix to well. Next the train cars that they hooked the Thomas engine up to looked to date from sometime close to the invention of rail service. Lets just say that 90 degree temps and an old school rail car that most of the windows didn't open equaled a stifling ride. We could have ridden in the converted circus animal car that was directly behind Thomas but we were not one of the 'lucky' 70 people on that one. Oh yea, those lucky 70 some how got wet from some sort of mysterious water on the roof of the car, it was very strange.

After our stops at the temporary tattoo station (and I mean 2 minutes temporary), the train table tent, the bubble pools (a brilliant idea, especially with the dirt that surrounded us), and the train, Rian, Reese and I headed over to meet Sir Topham Hatt. I was a little worried that Reese would freak out, but apparently we broke him in with meeting the bunny at Animal Kingdom. He absolutely loved meeting Sir Topham Hatt. After that little rendezvous we headed over to get a picture with Thomas and hit the souvenir tent. After that we rounded the Critters up and jumped back in the car for our trek back to Orlando. All in all the Critters had a great time, Brother especially. I can tell you that we have been playing trains everyday since.

Here are some shots from the day:

This nice old man let the Critters come behind the barricades for a better view of the train set.

Haddie and her temporary tattoo.

Close up.

CarCar got a Percy tattoo.

Reese in his element at the train table tent.

Thomas and the open box car.

Brother taking it all in.

Haddie with her certificate.

CarCar looking out the door, and blocking the aisle.

Brother, momma, and Sir Topham Hatt.

Brother flashing a smile.

Close-up of Thomas.

The Critters in front of Thomas.

Thomas pulling out of the station.

I think this picture is hilarious. CarCar looks like a little refuge child. I told you it was dirty there.